Sixth season American Idol winner Jordin Sparks recently visited the Gulf of Mexico to bear witness to the devastation caused by the BP oil disaster.
While there, she got to speak to local residents and fishermen about how the spill is affecting their lives in every way imaginable. Her visit was documented on video by Cambio, an all-new interactive website for teens launched this spring.
“I saw a couple of pictures of the birds just completely covered [in oil] and I wanted to see if I could bring awareness to it,” said Sparks in the video for Cambio Cares, a special series where celebrities talk about the causes closest to their hearts.
In this week’s segment, Sparks describes the origins of her “I’m M.A.D. (making a difference) Are You?” campaign.
“We just want to tell young adults and teens and kids that it doesn’t matter how big or small your effort is, just as long as you’re making one. Why not us? Why can’t we go and help make that difference.”
Sparks’ tour through the marsh-land of the Gulf reveals the devastating effects of the oil spill on local wildlife and fisherman, whose livelihoods have taken a serious hit.
“There’s one with oil on him,” said local fisherman Pat Bonvillian on the video, pointing out an oil soaked bird unable to fly. “He can’t get up. See him right there? See he’s trying to get up. He can’t get up he’s got oil on his wings. And this is their nesting season right now. This stuff couldn’t have happened at a worse time.”
“Business was really booming when Katrina hit and we went six months with no work and just when I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for living the good life again … ” said fishing boat captain Ron Price, his voice trailing off.
Local resident Celest Laigast says the waterfront has been a summer getaway for families for years, but not this summer.
“We came out here every summer. It’s like a thing for the kids around here,” said Laigast. “Everybody takes their jet skis and their boats and everything, but we’re not allowed to anymore.”
For more information on Sparks’ campaign, go to ImMadAreYou.com.
Screengrab via Cabrio Cares.